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Hello all,

Can someone please advise me on this. My female doberman Tiara is pretty normal for a 6 month old-very exuberant, and sensitive. House traing has gone OK, but I expected her to stop wetting her crate by now. Also she occasionally has accidents in the house.

Her life is pretty regimented-weekdays she is in her crate for most of the day, feedings twice a day at same time, and long walks in the evening. She is let outside about three times in the evening, and once before bed. It is not everyday she has an accident, but it is enough that it causes me concern.

She has access to water outside at all times. I am hoping that she grows out of this.

Thanks in advance!

Part of it is age- a dog her age really should nto be crated much longer than 6 hours at a time without a potty break.

Part of it is habit at this point. If a dog gets used to going in it's crate, that can become the normal practice for the dog. Use an enzematic cleaner in thecrate after every accident- not just regular soap and water- doesn't kill the smell and still signals to the dog it "ok" to use that spot as a potty area.

You may want to consider using dog litter and a larger area for you pup while you are gone for the day. It's athought and may help the accident in inappropriate places. A dog walker during the day coudl also help a lot.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

>>Hello all,
>>
>>Can someone please advise me on this. My female doberman Tiara is pretty normal for a 6 month old-very exuberant, and sensitive. House traing has gone OK, but I expected her to stop wetting her crate by now. Also she occasionally has accidents in the house.
>>
>>Her life is pretty regimented-weekdays she is in her crate for most of the day, feedings twice a day at same time, and long walks in the evening. She is let outside about three times in the evening, and once before bed. It is not everyday she has an accident, but it is enough that it causes me concern.
>>
>>She has access to water outside at all times. I am hoping that she grows out of this.
>>
>>Thanks in advance!
>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This is excessive on the amount of time the dog is kept in a crate. And when a dog starts soiling a crate, the dog needs to be kept elsewhere until the problem is resolved. By continuing to confine the the dog in the crate when she has this problem, you damage her instincts to keep her bed clean.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thank you both for your truthful replies.

Yes, she is in her crate for too long of a time period. I guess it was always in the "back-of-my mind" as a worry, and a cause for her behavior.

I am sincerely hoping not to ruin her by keeping her in a crate most of the day.

My other dog–Maddie (French Bulldog) is 1 year old and trust-worthy in the house all day. I am not ready to "unleash" Tiara unsupervised, she has already "re-decorated" a room when I wasn't looking-HA HA!

Thanks,
Virginia

>>Thank you both for your truthful replies.
>>
>>Yes, she is in her crate for too long of a time period. I guess it was always in the "back-of-my mind" as a worry, and a cause for her behavior.
>>
>>I am sincerely hoping not to ruin her by keeping her in a crate most of the day.
>>
>>My other dog–Maddie (French Bulldog) is 1 year old and trust-worthy in the house all day. I am not ready to "unleash" Tiara unsupervised, she has already "re-decorated" a room when I wasn't looking-HA HA!
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Virginia
>>>>>>>>>>>>

Don't turn the dog loose in the house, but use different confinement than a crate, such a bathroom or other small room with baby gates stacked tall enough in the doorway that she won't jump them. Put papers on the floor so she can use them when she can't hold it.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47